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Well Water Treatment: What You Need to Know
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Updated: June 3, 2022 January 20, 2021
While municipal water serves most American households, private wells are still quite common, especially for households in lower-density areas. In the United States, about 40 million people rely on domestic wells for their drinking water, according to the United States Geological Survey. About 3 million Canadian residents also use private wells, according to a Canadian government website.
A variety of issues and contaminants can impact the ground water that supplies wells, so well water treatment through filtration and softening systems is often required. In fact, according to a recent survey from the Water Quality Association (WQA), 53% of well water users said that filtration systems were a necessity for them, not a luxury. Careful observation, frequent testing and regular treatment are the best approach for ensuring water safety and softness.
Take a look below to learn how to spot some frequently occurring well water problems and discover how you can respond to these issues.
Observation is the first step to discovering potential problems in your well water. Signs you may spot include:
These issues can also emerge in municipal water, but private wells are not regulated as public water systems are, as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules governing public drinking water systems do not apply to individual water systems. Private well owners are responsible for the quality of their water and as such, are encouraged to test their water regularly and be on the lookout for indicators that there may be a problem.
Download Now: Your FREE Guide to Cleaner, Safer Well WaterIn addition to these signs, it’s important to note that potential problems may be unobservable. Not all issues can be seen, tasted or smelled, which means that testing, even when nothing seems amiss, is still vitally important.
Seepage of contaminants from nearby pollution sources can periodically affect groundwater, impacting safety for well water users. Contaminants like arsenic can’t even be observed without testing.
For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that water testing take place annually, as well as whenever you notice taste, appearance or hardness differences. You should also test the well water if you have reason to suspect that there could be problems with your water supply, such as after some natural disasters. It’s also a good idea to conduct a test after well system maintenance or replacements take place.
There are a couple of options for testing well water, based on your needs:
Simple At-Home Testing
Free in-home water tests can test for levels of hardness, chlorine, total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, nitrates, iron and more.
More Comprehensive Lab-Based Testing
By sending a water sample back to the lab for a more complete analysis, your local water expert can help you detect other potential culprits behind any issues you may be experiencing with your well water. Testing conducted at Culligan’s IL EPA-Certified lab can identify lead, hydrogen sulfide, arsenic, copper, bacteria and other contaminants.
Depending on what you observe, as well as your testing results, an expert can help you identify different well water treatment systems that can address your concerns. Water filtration systems, water softeners or a combination of the two could enhance the taste and softness of your water and improve its safety.
Water Softening
Hard water can affect the performance of water-using appliances in your house, like your dishwasher or laundry machine. In addition, without soft water, you may notice buildup around drains and faucets and notice that your hair and your skin feel dry after showering. Water softeners help remove the minerals that cause hardness, like calcium and magnesium, to improve your water supply.
Softeners typically use salt, but salt-free conditioners are available for users in brine-restricted areas.
Water Filtration
Water filtration systems improve the quality of water throughout your home for hydration, cooking and bathing.
By filtering out many contaminants, such as iron, sulfur and sediment, you can enjoy great-tasting (and better-smelling) water while also reducing the potential for rust stains and other unsightly household problems. This can also protect your clothing, water-using appliances and plumbing fixtures from damage.
Many people who use well water find that they benefit from using both water filtration systems and water softeners. An expert can help you determine whether separate systems or a combined solution is the right way to improve your water. You might consider one or both of the following types of filtration systems:
Learn more about the well water treatment options available to you today.
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